Sheriff Mike Moore reports that the Boone County Sheriff’s Department assisted by the Arkansas State Police has arrested Lead Hill Police Chief Kenny Barnes. The arrest took place at the Lead Hill City Hall with a warrant that had been issued for felony theft of property, abuse of public trust, release or disclosure to unauthorized person and abuse of office.

Allegations have been made that Chief Barnes was off duty when he went to a Boone County citizen’s home in Diamond City acting under his law enforcement authority conducting an investigation. During that contact Chief Barnes was alleged to have seized a number of guns from that citizen. The investigation into the case determined that Chief Barnes had, in fact, sold a number of those seized guns to individuals in the community for his own personal gain.

Bond has been set on the warrant at $75,000.00. At this time the case is still under investigation Sheriff Moore encourages anyone who may have information about any similar crimes to call the Sheriff’s Office at 870-741-8404 or e-mail us at detectdivision@boonesheriff.com. As always, information can be kept anonymous.